Who Was That Skateboarding Fool?!
By Altia
Disclaimer: I can't think of anything original to say here… so I'll just say I don't own it!
A/N: Ack… I didn't update like I planned to… It's because a buncha stuff came up and preparing for my senior year of high school and stuff like that… So… my update is a little late. Well, at least I update, right? Anyways… enjoy the chapter. And, I'm really sorry for it being so late… dang college apps. and teachers not giving me breaks…
Chapter 22: The Challenger! What's on Kenshin's mind?
Kenshin awoke the next morning feeling strangely refreshed. 'That was the best sleep I've had in a while…'
Kenshin then realized what time it was… and what day it was… "Holy crap!! I'm late for school!!"
He quickly changed out of his dirty clothes and ate a quick breakfast before grabbing his board and skating to school at breakneck speeds. He just hoped that he would make it in time.
……………………………………
Kaoru had gotten to school much earlier then Kenshin, and was waiting for him to arrive at the front steps of the school. She checked her watch for like the millionth time. 'Where the heck is he?? He's gonna be late if he doesn't get here soon…'
At just about this moment, Kenshin came speeding up to the school, nearly crashing into the statue of the school mascot as he skidded to a stop.
Kaoru looked relieved as he arrived. "You do realize that you are almost late, don't you?"
Kenshin gave her a look that said, 'No, duh. That's why I broke the sound barrier to get here.'
Kaoru laughed at his expression and walked over to him and gave him a hug. Kenshin blushed, but hugged her back.
At that very moment, the bell decided to ring, and they had to go to class. Together, hand in hand, they walked into the school to begin another dull class day.
……………………………………
During lunch, Kenshin met up with Kaoru and decided to look for Sano. However when they found him, he was in a seemingly deep conversation with Megumi.
"Better not interrupt him. I seriously think he's gotta crush on her, but he refuses to admit it," Kenshin said, doing his part to spread rumors.
Kaoru giggled, "I didn't know you had so much inside info on your friend's love life."
"I don't, I have eyes," Kenshin said as he poked Kaoru in the ribs.
"Stop that! I'm ticklish!" Kaoru said as she tried to defend herself from his finger.
"Heh, that's very good to know…" he responded, getting an evil look on his face.
"Don't even think about it, Kenshin. Now come on, let's go find a seat and eat already!"
Kenshin laughed and nodded, walking over to a nice tree that gave a lot of shade. And so, they ate lunch together, Kenshin every now and then trying to poke Kaoru's ribs again, and each time she whacked his arm.
…………………………………….
The rest of the school day went rather painlessly. As Kenshin and Kaoru walked out of school together, Sano ran up to meet Kenshin.
"Hey, bud, ya coming to practice today right?" Sano asked.
Kenshin glanced over at Kaoru, then looked back at Sano, "Um, actually, I kinda had plans…"
"Don't worry about it, Kenshin. Actually I'd like to watch you practice, if you don't mind," Kaoru said, putting a hand on Kenshin's shoulder.
Kenshin looked at Sano, waiting for the 'ok'.
Sano shrugged, "Don't matter to me if ya wanna come, little missy. It gets kinda boring if ya just watch though…"
Kaoru smiled, "I don't think I'll be bored…"
Sano shrugged again, and all three went to the skateboard practice at the skate park.
Kaoru sat on a shady bench and watched as Kenshin stretched and warmed up. "Be careful because of your arm, Kenshin!" she called.
"Don't worry, Kaoru, I will."
After the stretches were finished, practice really started. It was very well organized. Everyone got one run on the half-pipe before it was the other person's turn. There was no fighting over whose turn it was. It always went on the scale of ability; the one who was better went first.
However, there was a newcomer to the group. A young man by the name Shishio Makoto didn't see why he had to go last.
"I have more skill then all of you combined!" he yelled
"Then if you are so confident, why not challenge one of us?" Sano said calmly.
"Fine, I challenge that guy!" Shishio said, pointing to Kenshin.
Everyone smirked, knowing the new guy was gonna get crushed, even if Kenshin was injured.
Kenshin shrugged, "Alright, you go first. Show me your best stuff."
Shishio smirked somewhat evilly, "Your gonna regret your cockiness."
Shishio made his way to the top of the half-pipe and dropped in quickly. He did a few empty airs to get an almost unreal height. He then did the trick he was known for in his hometown, then 1080 Fireball. About halfway through his spins, he took a match and swiped it across the bottom of his board, making it a raging inferno, and then completed his turns. He then landed on the half-pipe as the fire went out. Shishio smirked as he reached the top of the pipe.
Kenshin laughed, "Just a buncha show, and no substance whatsoever. I'll show you what a real skater is."
Kaoru smiled as her boyfriend took his place at the top of the pipe. The wind began to blow, making him look even more handsome as his red hair danced in the wind.
Kenshin dropped into the pipe, doing simple board tricks and grinds. He then did empty airs just as Shishio did. However, he was preparing for a real trick, not some show. Once Kenshin got about 10 feet high from the pipe, he did the trick that won him the gold medal at the skating competition just two days before: the 900 Front-Flip Kick-Flip. With Kaoru watching, and with Kaoru's confidence in him, he was able to pull it off perfectly, without any hesitation whatsoever. As Kenshin coasted to a stop at the top of the pipe after the trick, he looked to see the look on Shishio's face, only to see that he had left.
All of the skaters present clapped for their respected leader. Kaoru stood, cheering and clapping the loudest of all the others.
Kenshin walked down to his fellow skaters, "I think I'm done for today. You guys can stay, but I'm gone."
The guys nodded, and continued their practice. Kenshin walked over to Kaoru.
Kaoru then made a very interesting discovery: Kenshin was incredibly sweaty, so much so that his shirt stuck to his chest. This gave Kaoru a nice idea of the muscles that lay beneath the baggy shirt. This made Kaoru blush a deep red.
Kenshin noticed the blush, but not the reason for it, "Hm… your face is a bit red, Kaoru. I think you've been in the sun too long. Better get you home."
Kaoru nodded, too embarrassed to talk. They walked home together in comfortable silence.
When they reached Kaoru's door, Kenshin turned to face her. "Well, we're here…"
"Yeah…" Kaoru said, still very embarrassed and tried to not stare at his chest.
"Um, tomorrow… do you have anything planned?" he asked.
"No, I don't think I do. Why?"
"Well, I was wondering if… uh… you'd like to go to dinner with me?" Kenshin inquired, his face red.
Kaoru blushed even more, "Um, I'll have to ask my dad when he gets home from work, but it should be ok… I'll call you later, alright?"
Kenshin smiled, "Sure, that'll be fine. So, uh, your dad's not home, right?"
"No…"
"Good," Kenshin said as he leaned in for a kiss.
Kaoru, somewhat shocked, managed to kiss him back before he pulled away.
"I'll talk to you later, then," he said.
"Yea… bye," Kaoru responded, in a sort of daze.
"Bye!" Kenshin called as he skated away.
Kaoru stood at her door for a few minutes before actually going inside.
………………………………………
As Kenshin was heating up his microwave TV Dinner, the phone began to ring. He ran over to answer it. "Yea, this is Kenshin."
"Kenshin, it's me, Kaoru," she said on the other end of the line.
"Oh, hey. What's up?"
"Well, I asked my dad about the dinner thing, and he said it was ok with him as long as I was home before 11 this time…"
"Eh heh, that was a mistake on my part… So ok, it's a date then?" Kenshin said, grinning.
"Yup, so I'll see you tomorrow at school, ok?"
"Yeah, see you tomorrow… Love you."
"Love you too, Kenshin, bye."
"Bye, Kaoru," Kenshin said as he hung up the phone. "Yahoo!!! I gotta date with Kaoru!!!" Kenshin yelled as he jumped up and down like a little boy who got the toy he wanted. Kenshin sat down to eat his dinner, thinking of what things will happen tomorrow.
A/N: Yup, that's chapter 22. Again, sorry for taking so long to update. Senior year is a pain, even thought I have an easy schedule. Oh, well, please review, and you will get responses like these fine people:
Artemis Mayeko: Thanks a lot, no he didn't get into too much trouble. Sorry for the long update…
Miguela: Thanks, I did have a good time at AX, but not after…
tintin-chan: Thanks. Aww, don't cry! I'm sorry for the long update wait!
Xujin: Yup, he survived. Thanks. Sorry for the long update wait…
MZ. AMbER EYES: Thanks a lot. Yea, AX is the best. Yea, I cosplayed as Chichiri from Fushigi Yuugi, and at AX05 I'm gonna be InuYasha and Chichiri.
The evil witch: Thanks for the nice comments.
crasyducky: AX is Anime Expo. It's held in Anaheim, CA for 4 wonderful days in the summer. Thanks for all the nice things you said about my story.
Kitsune KeNsHiN: Thanks. Yea, poor Kenshin. Sorry for the long wait.
Kiryuu-500: Yup, you're a minion. Thanks. Yea, I'll check out your story as soon as I get a chance to breathe…
kik-ting: Yup, but just barely. Thanks. They will eventually come home, but no one knows exactly when.
Darkygurl11: Here's the update. Enjoy.
VanyD: Yes, I am aware of my error, but I am too darn lazy to go and change it. Um, you might wanna look for some help with that inner child thing…
shibi chibi: Sorry, I just write what people want me to.
kohaku: Thanks. Sorry for making you wait so long…
-: Thanks.
XAliceX: Thanks a lot, and don't forget to read this chapter.
evilteddybear: Yes, I am well aware of the error, but am too lazy to correct it. I'll get around to it eventually.